Two workers died in an accident around 10:30 a.m. Monday in Martin County when a single cable snapped that was suspending the two workers from a helicopter. The cable carrying the two workers came into contact with a power line, according to preliminary information via the Federal Aviation Administration.

The men were working on power lines near county roads 4200 and 4501, according to an official at the Martin County Sheriff's Department.

The FAA is conducting an investigation of the accident, Lynn Lunsford said, a spokesman with the FAA. The helicopter is a Hughes H-500 and is often used for such work, among other tasks, Lunsford said, adding that the helicopter was able to land safely. Officials from the Occupational Hazard and Safety Administration were also on the scene investigating on Monday.

The names of the victims have still not been released.

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Original story below

ODESSA, Texas (AP) — Two workers have fallen to their deaths in West Texas when a cable snapped that was suspending them from a helicopter as they worked on power lines.

Investigators with the Martin County Sheriff's Office remain at the accident scene about 70 miles east of Odessa. The cable appeared to have snapped when it struck one of the lines Monday morning.

The names of the workers have not been released.

KOSA-TV in Odessa reports the victims were working on new power lines for Wind Energy Transmission Texas.